Recent Blog Posts

Is getting strep without tonsils possible? Yes. Strep throat is caused by bacteria that can live in the nose and mouth, spread through saliva or contact with contaminated surfaces. Strep throat symptoms include sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, red/swollen tonsils, and swollen lymph nodes. Tonsillitis and strep throat are different. Strep throat is caused by bacteria, while tonsillitis can be caused by bacteria or a virus. If you think you have tonsillitis or strep throat, visit an urgent care center for diagnosis and treatment.

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Bronchitis, an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, can sometimes develop into pneumonia if left untreated. This is more likely in individuals with weakened immune systems. Pneumonia is a lung infection with symptoms such as cough, chest pain, chills, and fever. Both conditions require medical attention, but treatments differ depending on the cause and severity.

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What Are the Degrees of Burns? A Guide to Identifying Burns So, what are the degrees of burns? If you’ve been wondering how to identify burns, we’ve got the answers for you. Burns are a common injury that can occur from various sources, including hot liquids, fire, chemicals, and sun exposure. Depending on the severity of the burn, it can range from a minor inconvenience to a life-threatening emergency. Therefore, it is crucial ...

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Upper respiratory infections can be really frustrating because they impact your ability to breathe normally, which is something that we all take for granted on a daily basis! The irritation and inflammation in your airways can cause all sorts of unpleasant symptoms. There are multiple different upper respiratory infections that you could contract at any time, one of them being RSV. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Knoxville doesn’t want you or your children ...

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We are entering into the height of the cold and flu season already in the Knoxville area. It seems like only yesterday we were outlining the importance of the flu shot for 2023, and yet here we are campaigning for our community to get vaccinated ahead of the 2024 season. The flu has the potential to cause serious illness, and it can spread quickly throughout certain populations. Getting vaccinated early in the season offers the ...

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As a prominent care provider of accessible primary care, urgent care, and occupational medicine services nationwide, American Family Care (AFC) is uniquely positioned to guide and educate the public on pertinent health issues, such as the FDA’s recent decisions on the effectiveness of oral phenylephrine.  The FDA held a Non-Prescription Drug Advisory Committee meeting on September 11-12, 2023, to deliberate on the effectiveness of oral phenylephrine as an active ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) cough ...

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Why You Should See an Urgent Care Doctor for Wart Removal Home remedies for warts might not be as effective as you hope, so we recommend seeing an urgent care doctor for wart removal to treat these pesky growths at their source. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can appear almost anywhere on the body, causing both physical discomfort and self-consciousness. This article takes you through everything you need to know about ...

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If you wake up with a runny nose, scratchy throat and the chills, chances are that you turn to your phone or computer and fire up your favorite search engine. But when you type your symptoms into the search bar, you discover it could be a cold, the flu, strep throat or even COVID-19. Infections can share similar symptoms, which can make it hard to diagnose yourself at home. That’s where AFC Urgent Care ...

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We are so grateful to have been able to take care of so many COVID-19 patients in our community over the course of the last few years. While we aren’t happy that you were sick, helping you feel better is what we do best and what we are passionate about! Now that the emergency status for the virus is no longer active, it may seem like COVID-19 is no longer a big deal. That ...

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Getting older is such a blessing, but it certainly does come with some challenges and changes. Falls become more dangerous as we become a bit more unsteady on our feet! Falling as a child or even younger adult maybe would result in a bruise or scrape, but you would fare OK. Falling when you are older can lead to serious injuries like broken bones or even head injuries. Falling at home is one of the ...

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Back-to-school sports physicals are vital for student athletes. They ensure health and meet requirements. Urgent care clinics offer quick, comprehensive exams with convenience and confidentiality. AFC provides affordable physicals, prioritizing your child's well-being.

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You sure can! We understand that smoking can be a really addictive habit, but you can do anything you set your mind to. Smoking negatively impacts your health in so many ways, so quitting will only allow you to lead a healthier life. Taking the first step toward quitting requires determination and motivation. Swapping simple habits like reaching for a glass of water instead of a soda can be easier, while giving up a difficult ...

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If you have an STD but haven't been sexually active, you may have contracted it through sharing needles, tattoos/piercings, blood transfusions, or other means. Some STDs are asymptomatic but can lead to serious health consequences if left untreated. AFC urgent care clinics offer confidential STD testing and treatment.

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There are so many illnesses and conditions that can make your body feel out of whack. Frustrating symptoms can appear any time there is something amiss in your body, whether if it is situational, the beginnings of an infection or the development of a disease. That’s why it is often difficult to diagnose yourself at home! Thankfully, our center is fully equipped with the resources and diagnostic tools needed to get to the root ...

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There’s a lot to love about living in the Knoxville area! All of the family-friendly attractions, warm sunny days and friendly neighbors make this part of eastern Tennessee a great place to live. One thing that is annoying about the South, though, is all of the bugs! The summer time is certainly the time of year when all of the bugs and other creepy crawlies come out. While most of the bugs around us ...

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Your overall health should always be a top priority in your life—and that includes your sexual health. Sexually transmitted diseases are one of the most common conditions across the state and country. In fact, one in five people will contract one in any given year. If you are sexually active, you should be getting tested for STDs regularly as part of your preventive care routine. This not only protects you, but it also protects ...

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Dementia is the broad term for a variety of cognitive diseases that you can develop over your lifetime. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which affects more than 55 million people worldwide. Losing your memory or watching a loved one go through the drastic personality changes associated with Alzheimer’s can be scary and overwhelming. Our staff at AFC Urgent Care Knoxville explains more below about dementia and how to support ...

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If you have a broken bone or a fracture, urgent care may be able to help. Learn the different types of fractures (broken bones), what we treat, and when to go to the ER vs. urgent care. How Do You Know a Bone is Broken? Every year, millions of people break a bone. Broken bones typically result from a trauma like a fall, car accident, or sports injury. Medical conditions such as osteoporosis or repetitive ...

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Getting hurt is just a part of life sometimes. While we do our best to avoid injury and be aware of our surroundings, it is not always possible to completely avoid dangerous situations. Thankfully, minor injuries like small cuts and sprains will heal on their own, but more severe injuries require medical attention. If you are ever concerned that an injury lead to a broken bone, we can help! Our center is fully equipped with ...

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Experiencing food poisoning is always an unfortunate situation. It isn’t fair when a fun night out with friends or a delicious meal at home with your partner turns into a painful and frustrating illness. While it is certainly not a fun experience, food poisoning infections like salmonella are mostly just a nuisance for a few days and you will start to recover on your own. Our AFC Urgent Care Knoxville team explains more about ...

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